ceriated tungsten

[tnjind]

Morning everyone.
Has anyone used the ceriated tungsten with TIG? My LWS doesn't carry it.
I am thinking it can be used AC or DC, on AC with out balling the point.
Thanks, Tim.

[FusionKing]

Sure I've used it. But more important you need to try it for yourself because different welders like certain things and so do weldors for that matter.

I've figured out that I really don't like ANY tungsten (I think that's why they keep trying to improve the stuff)

[tnjind]

I agree, I was just looking at Millers tig tung. info. Looks like I was thinking of the lanthenated tungsten.
I was just wondering if it is the latest and greatest or unneeded. I do OK with the pure and 2%, thought I might try it.
Thanks.

[FusionKing]

I think pure SUCKS and is from the stone age....you are on the right track....try the new stuff like the lanth and point it and use it on both and you will never go back.
BTW what welder are you using?

[Archaic]

Greetings Tim:

As you probably know, tungstens will act a little differently depending on whether you are using them with an inverter machine, or a transformer machine.

With my Syncrowave 200 (transformer) I use ceriated tungstens for stainless and mild steel welding. On AC for aluminum I have found 1.5% or 2.0% lanthanated works best for me - sharpened to a truncated point. The point will blunt slightly during welding, but it gives me better arc control on aluminum than pure balled. I do not see any difference in the welding characteristics between 1.5% and 2% lanthanated. The 2% lanthanated seems to last longer.

You can find them online at a number of places. Arc-Zone or Diamond Ground.

Adios-----

[tnjind]

I have a syncrowave 350, great machine, I will pick up both and try them out. I also agree pure sucks, contaminates easy, I don't even ball the end, to hard to control.
Thanks to both with the replies.
Tim.

[SignWave]

I'd love to be able to put my two bucks in (inflation price jump from 2cents),but i donthaveenough time on themachine to seriously make an educated comment. I have been using mostly ceriated. I have a lanth that seems to be okay too. Got a couple of thoriated ones that i havent touched. Im not sure im keen on having radioactive grindings in my shop...I think that stuff should be put to rest.. There has to be a better way.

[Synchroman]

I discovered that throriated (red) tungsten works quite well with my SW 200 (transformer, square wave) machine.

When I bought the Lincoln 250/250 that I traded in on the Miller, the previous owner gave me what looks to be a lifetime supply of 2% thoriated and pure tungsten from .040 up to 1.8" dia.

I used to ball the pure tungsten for aluminum but I soon discovered that the ball would grow far too large for proper arc control so I quit using it. Others suggested that I try the thoriated for both AC and DC +/- and it seems to work well.

I don't ball the tungsten anymore, either. I have noticed that it will form its own small ball due to the normal AC action. Fopr AC, I just sharpen to a blunt point and let nature take its course. I put a fairly sharp point on for DC- welding, though.

I do plan on trying both ceriated and lanthanated but the last time I visited Air Gas and asked for some, they were out. Go figure.

I haven't noticed yet that I glow in the darkeither. We should probably be more worried about the background radiation that we receive from the universe.

My 2 cents.